Thermal control
The design of this subsystem, based on the use of passive thermal protection elements, has taken into account both the optical properties of the surfaces and those of the joints between the various elements and components of the satellite. Thus, the interior surfaces of the satellite are finished in low-emissivity aluminium, and the interior of the satellite is thermally insulated from the side closure panels, which, together with the satellite’s rotational movement, helps to dampen temperature variations in the interior. For this purpose, stainless steel screws with low thermal conductivity are used for the joints between trays, separators, panels, etc.
It should be noted that the batteries are thermally connected to tray B but isolated from tray A, so they are mounted on Delrin 07 insulating material and, in addition, there is a 1.5 mm gap between tray A and the battery holder. Similarly, the liquid bridge experiment box is insulated from tray D, so there is a gap between box and tray, with contact only through the fixing points.
Another element of the thermal protection subsystem is formed by the multilayer thermal blankets that cover the outer faces of trays A and D; these thermal blankets, donated by CASA Space Division, have five inner layers of 7.5-micron kapton aluminised on both sides, two outer layers of 25-micron kapton aluminised each on the inner side, and six dexiglass spacers.
